System for the control and extinction of forest fires

Abstract

System for the control and extinction of forest fires, which includes means for detecting (3) the fire, water-supply means (1) and water-distribution means (2), characterized in that said water-distribution means (2) include a fixed installation in the terrain and in that the system includes real-time control means (5) that pick up the signal from the detecting means (3) and act on the water-supply means (1) to the installation. Thanks to these characteristics the response time to the fire is immediate and deforestation is not necessary for installing the system.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a system which has an immediate response time for the control and extinction of forest fires. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Known in the art are systems for the control of forest fires that comprise firebreak systems. Firebreak systems are cleared areas of land used to hold up the propagation of a fire. Such systems have the disadvantage that in order to implement them strips of land of some 30-40 metres in width have to be deforested, which involves a significant environmental impact and is therefore difficult to apply in natural parks and protected areas. [0003] Another disadvantage of firebreak systems is the high cost of maintenance of the deforested zones and the difficulty of implementing the system in forest zones with difficult access. [0004] Also known are systems for the control and extinction of forest fires which include fire-detection means, water-supply means and water-distribution means. The water-supply means comprise tanks and p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] Thanks to these characteristics, the system of this invention has advantages over the systems known in the state of the art, in that the response-time to the fire is immediate, without needing to have firefighter brigades close to the place in order to ensure a minimum response time. Nor is it necessary to deforest parts of the woods in order to install it, or to build access roads and trails, which means that it can be used without problems in natural parks and protected areas. Furthermore, it is a safe system for the firefighter brigades.

[0015] Another advantage of the system of this invention is that it makes automatic activation of emergency and action plans possible.

[0018] Preferably, the system includes means for detecting wind speed and direction. Such means allow decisions to be taken to increase water pressure in order to overcome the force of the wind.

Problems solved by technology

Such systems have the disadvantage that in order to implement them strips of land of some 30-40 metres in width have to be deforested, which involves a significant environmental impact and is therefore difficult to apply in natural parks and protected areas.

Another disadvantage of firebreak systems is the high cost of maintenance of the deforested zones and the difficulty of implementing the system in forest zones with difficult access.

Such systems have the disadvantages set out below.

High maintenance cost of deforested zones.

High job risk for the firefighters during the work of fire extinction and control.

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